Produce people don't relish the winter, which is, in most parts of the country, a fruit and vegetable wasteland.

The way they make it through the cold months? Winter citrus. Meyer lemons, grapefruits and limes wake up hibernating palates and keep your dishes bright. And you don't necessarily have to rely on a finishing spritz of juice to use them. Below: 6 new ways to use zest, juice, and the whole fruits to make your dishes sing.

Make a gorgeous mixed citrus salad (and leave it alone)

Winter citrus doesn't need much to taste good or look beautiful. Take this simple fruit salad, for example, which is dressed only with a drizzle of homemade tarragon simple syrup.

If you roast citrus at a high heat, the sugars will start to caramelize, deepening the flavor. You can roast slices to add to your salads or throw halved citrus into a roasting pan with fish, meat, or poultry.